Though, that said, it does feel like the reserved route feels like a missed opportunity given what uncanny wonders we’ve been given by Ghibli in the past, whimsy limited to the complicated shenanigans inside Quartier Latin. Despite an absence of spirit globs and majestic beasts, this fishing town feels rich and warm, a lovely cosy villa that could very much be lived in. Sure, seaside towns is a return trip for the studio, but From Up on Poppy Hill is set in a world completely grounded in memories of Japan’s past, with sparse glamorization. The first act shows Ghibli prowess in a somewhat unfamiliar turf. However, a vintage photograph reveals a compromising possibility that Shun and Umi may be long lost siblings. In an unlikely alliance, Shun is joined by the busybody Umi, who rallies students to defend the manor, in the process falling for Shun. Latin’s defending spokesman is the charismatic school paper editor, and, uhm, orphan, Shun. But the modernization has its consequences, as a beloved, decrepit high school club house, Quartier Latin, is being threatened to demolition by the school. The general sentiment is that, with the world coming to visit, it’s time to show off a fresh, new Japan that isn’t nostalgic for the one that participated in WWII. It’s the mid-60s, and an upcoming Olympic ceremony has Japan in a bout of optimism. Goro’s latest, a period romance From Up on Poppy Hill, is flat a out hella boring romance that must have taken forever to draw. But there are dips, none offensively so, but The Secret World of Arrietty and Tales of Earthsea are timid and dull, toothless ventures, the latter directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of legendary Hayao. Some, like Princess Mononoke, Totoro, Kiki`s Delivery Service and Spirited Away are the strongest examples of how fantasy narratives can encompass deeper human dramas, while others like Ponyo, Castle of Cagliostro and Porco Rosso are perfectly fine as glittering eye candy. From family DVD shelves to personal descriptions on dating profiles, a new Ghibli is a lure for people who wouldn’t even label themselves as cinephiles or otakus, and it’s for all the good reasons. Studio Ghibli is one of the mystical entities of film that, despite overseas animation peers being left to the knowledge of know-hards, has elegantly crossed over into the hearts of a general audience.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |